National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has revealed an additional 203 undocumented Bangladeshi workers have been repatriated on June 2, bringing the total of Bangladeshi nationals repatriated amid the COVID-19 pandemic to over 1,500.
Speaking at the daily press briefing, Spokesperson of NEOC Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said a total of 1,593 undocumented Bangladeshi workers have been repatriated from the Maldives amid the COVID-19 pandemic, through joint efforts of the governments of Bangladesh and the Maldives. He added 342 Bangladeshi nationals who are working in the Maldives legally have also been repatriated upon their request.
Earlier, the government revealed efforts are underway to repatriate over 5,000 undocumented expatriate workers in the Maldives within the next three months. The government stated it is closely monitoring the situation of expatriate workers, as the risk of COVID-19 transmission is high amongst them due to congested living conditions. Several expatriates have been relocated to temporary accommodation facilities as part of the efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the Maldives.
Meanwhile, Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC) is conducting an aid programme to assist expatriates in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic. MRC is providing food and other essential items to expatriates in need, with the help of donations to the Migrant Relief Fund.
Ministry of Economic Development had recently conducted an expatriate regularisation programme to help undocumented workers attain the necessary documents. The economic ministry revealed over 40,000 expatriates had registered under the programme.